METABOLIC SYNDROME IN THE PAEDIATRIC AGE

Key words: Obesity, Metabolic syndrome, Impaired glucose tolerance, Review

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); it represents an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Because of the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, the prevalence of MS is rising among children and adolescents. Although the literature generally agrees that MS is a common finding already in the pediatric age group, there is no general consensus on how to define MS in children and adolescents. However, given the progressive increase in metabolic and cardiovascular complications in this age group affected by obesity, an early diagnosis of these metabolic disorders results relevant in order to prevent development of further consequences related to the persistence and exacerbation of metabolic abnormalities during adolescence and adult life. This review aims at summarizing the most relevant and recent findings concerning the MS in children and adolescents.